On July 15th, Brighton’s own Black Honey took over the intimate, hot confines of the legendary 100 Club on Oxford Street. This sold out show wasn’t just any regular gig, but part of Dork’s Dork 100 week celebrating Dork Magazine’s 100th issue landing this month, with 5 nights of incredible live talent taking over The 100 Club. As the first of five shows celebrating the magazine’s anniversary, they didn’t just set the bar - they flung it through the ceiling.

Opening the evening was Wings of Desire, with a captivating set that immediately pulled the crowd into their world. The duo, made up of Chloe Little and James Taylor, brought a striking balance to the stage - Chloe’s ethereal presence behind the keys and her stunning vocals added a dreamy quality to each track, while James carried an effortlessly cool and commanding stage presence with rich guitar tones and equally impressive vocals. The pair were supported by a tight group of band members who added depth and energy to their sound. Their chemistry was undeniable, and together they created a sound that felt both nostalgic and fresh. The crowd was clearly hooked, responding with cheers and eager anticipation for what was to come. Wings of Desire made for the perfect opener and a very strong start to the night, and indeed, a powerful kick off to the week of live talent and celebrations ahead.

As all of the band apart from Izzy casually took to the stage and began setting up their own gear, there was a laid-back charm to the moment - stripped of planned theatrics, it felt personal, raw, and refreshingly unpolished. After they finished setting up, the guys left the stage shortly before they were due to perform. At around 9:15pm Black Honey took to the stage. Consisting of lead singer Izzy Baxter Phillips, guitarist Chris Osler, bassist Tommy Taylor and drummer Alex Woodward, the band wasted little time before they dove headfirst into a punchy performance of “All My Pride.” Izzy, adorned in a striking feather boa, immediately commanded the room, her presence filling every inch of the busy club. The crowd was immediately hooked, arms in the air and a buzz of anticipation that only built as the night rolled on.

In a venue so intimate you could practically reach out and touch the band - I’m not kidding, the height of the stage was at my knees - Black Honey delivered a sweaty, high-voltage set that felt somewhere between a gig and a party. Only three songs in, the band launched into “I Like the Way You Die,” one of their biggest and most explosive hits. The crowd’s energy surged. They followed it with “Soak,” an unreleased track from their upcoming album of the same name, due to drop on August 15th. Izzy noted that this would be one of their final shows before the album drops - with their next show not being until the day before the album release - giving this night an extra sense of celebration. In fact, the band used the night to showcase a handful of singles from the upcoming record, offering the crowd an exclusive first live taste. One of those was latest release “Shallow,” which Izzy introduced with a grin - “No, it’s not the one by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper”. The track itself blends sharp social critique with cinematic flair - its catchy chorus and hypnotic vocals turning a dig at brain rot and digital culture into something defiant. I felt lucky to be one of the first to hear it live.

As the night went on, the celebration only grew wilder. Dork 100 balloons bounced above the crowd, adding to the atmosphere as the band tore through the rest of their set with full force. Fan favorites like “Lemonade” got the crowd moving, and a memorable moment came when “Ok” was melted together with a cover of “Where Is My Mind” by Pixies. Towards the end of the set, things tipped into glorious chaos. Izzy jumped down into the crowd, dissolving the line between stage and floor, mic in hand as fans screamed every word with her. Moments later, she poured the last of her beer over her head onstage - messy, carefree, and entirely in the spirit of the night. The band then launched into one of their most beloved tracks, “Corrine,” closing the show on a high as the crowd yelled every lyric back.

From start to finish, the night was something special. Every member of the band was on top form - tight, energetic, and totally locked in. Izzy’s vocals were powerful and captivating, and her stage presence unmatched - but it was the full force of the band behind her that really brought everything to life. Together they created a sound that was gorgeous, dynamic, and completely their own. With their new album “Soak” just around the corner (August 15th - remember the date!), and a fresh run of tour dates on the horizon, this set felt like the beginning of a huge new chapter. Black Honey head out on their album release tour on August 14th, and will be travelling to venues all over the UK. If you get the chance to see them live, don't miss it!